Last Days In Destin.

 J. Crew hat; Urban Nomad wrap

I am back home now, I do miss the beach but I am glad I get to spend time with my family. I get my wisdom teeth out tomorrow, ew. Maybe I will put up all these random photos I have accumulated over the past few months while I am lying in bed all day. Anyways, above are the remaining photos from my Summer Project. It was so much fun and I seriously learned more in those two weeks about my faith than I ever thought imaginable. 

I am reading Job now and it is absolutely incredible. He went through so many horrible situations in his lifetime and NEVER cursed God. Last night I read chapter 2 verse 10 it says,

"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

We always get so angry when things aren't going or way. When things aren't easy and wonderful all the time. But if life were like that we would learn nothing, we would gain nothing, and we would have no reason to truly praise our Creator. We would not appreciate the good things in life. How can we possibly expect things to be great all the time? We can't, and it's silly of us to do so. I look back to James 1:2-3 which talks about how these trials we go through are to develop perseverance and then maturity so that we "aren't lacking anything." From the trials we gain so much, but only if you let that be the case. Trust Him. 

I've started reading Mere Christianity and let me just say, C.S. Lewis hits the nail right on the head. If you are questioning Christianity, doubt it completely, or are looking to strengthen your faith (so, everyone) read this book. You won't regret it. Just keep a pen handy and read it slowly as it is a LOT to take in. 

Have a lovely day! 

Splendor.

Hello again! Here's another update from Greek Summit! I really want this to be more of a photo diary, but some things might need some explanation. Below is a picture of Melissa (a DZ at USC) and me. Go Cocks!

 Our mess of food and Bibles at our twice-a-week Bible study. 

 Marian Jordan talk. Absolutely incredible. Below is a picture of this fantastic woman. 

 Sarah and me.

 Mom's denim jacket, as well as her white Michael Stars tank. I just got the skirt at the outlet mall this week, it can be so much; a skirt, dress, shawl, cover-up. What a great investment: Urban Nomad.

Last night we went to Baytown, a cute area in Destin. We went to this awesome bar called Rum Runners with dueling pianists. 

This may be one of my most favorite pictures that I've ever taken.

So I really have some ambiguous pictures here, but I am having an incredible time here. I have learned so much I can't even comprehend all the work God is doing sometimes. 

Today Isaiah 55:5 really spoke to me. 

"Surely you will summon nations you know not,

and nations that do not know you

will hasten to you, 

because of the Lord your God, 

the Holy One of Israel,

for he has endowed you with splendor."

I am working on trusting the Lord. It surely is not easy, but how can I not trust Him? The God of the Universe? This verse is so reassuring. He has such great plans, He has endowed me and all of His believers with splendor, though I have done nothing to deserve His grace. 

God Bless. 

Seek Him First.

Hello again! 

Things are going very well here at Greek Summit. Especially today. I came here knowing my spiritual life was going in the wrong direction but I didn't know what to do about it. This morning I figured out why. I have been living in a works-based mentality for so long that I had grown weary and exhausted. I thought I wasn't doing enough to make the Father proud of me. I was trying to earn my salvation, and why? I don't have to do that, thanks to Jesus. My salvation has already been given to me. I have eternal life because Jesus died for me. I will be with the Father forever because Jesus made it so I didn't have to earn anything. Because nothing I could ever do on my own would be enough. 

I am more sinful than I could ever know, and yet I am more loved than I could ever possibly comprehend. (Paraphrase from Tim Keller, I believe.)

I have been learning today that I am loved at all times. The Father's love for me does not diminish or grow stronger based on my performance. And that is certainly something worth praise!

Thank you Jesus for saving me. Thank you Father for loving me. Thank you Holy Spirit for revealing all of this to me. 

Now for some pictures of beautiful Destin, Florida. 

 I took all of these pictures with my iPhone. I did bring my camera but I am afraid to bring it on the beach. 

 Yesterday, after session, the whole group went to Dave's Dogs. I had possibly the best hotdog imaginable. 

 It really is "all in the bun."

 We basically took over this little hotdog stand. But Bob, not Dave (he was off that day) handled it with such friendliness and precision. Go Bob. 

 And the hour-long wait was so worth it. Look at that beauty. 

Last night we went to dinner with our "family groups" which are smaller groups we were assigned to, in order to make the trip a little less daunting. 

We went to Dewey Destins which was  delicious. I had to document the fact that the building was established in 1928! What a great year. 

God is doing great things in us and around us. I am so fortunate to be on this trip. Here is a verse that God has been truly laying on my heart lately. 

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:33-34

God has been doing so much work in my heart, I with I could list all the verses that have been helping me. Basically all of Matthew 6 is fantastic. And today I read the first two chapters of Ecclesiastes by the pool. It seemed to express exactly how I have been feeling lately. This world will never satisfy us. But if we "seek first his kingdom" everything else will fall into place. Our wants will become what he wants for us. And when those line up, nothing else could ever matter. 

God Bless You All.